Keeneland Thoroughbred Racing and Sales - Ben Alihttp://www.keeneland.com/news-keywords/ben-ali
enDivining Rod Wins Coolmore Lexington, Protonico Romps in Ben Ali in Record Time and Katie’s Eyes Upsets Giant’s Causewayhttp://www.keeneland.com/racing/divining-rod-wins-coolmore-lexington-protonico-romps-ben-ali-record-time-and-katie%E2%80%99s-eyes
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p class="p1"><b>LEXINGTON, KY (April 11, 2015)</b> – Lael Stables’ Divining Rod, who had set the pace in his two previous races, rallied to win the 34<span class="s1"><sup>th</sup></span> running of the $250,000 Coolmore Lexington (G3) by three lengths over favored Donworth and picked up 10 points on the road to the Kentucky Derby (G1).</p>
<p class="p1">Also Saturday, Sumaya U.S. Stable’s Protonico led all the way to win the 85<span class="s1"><sup>th</sup></span> running of the $150,000 Ben Ali (G3) by five lengths and Katie’s Eyes, owned by the partnership of Ike and Dawn Thrash and Janet and Sam Alley won the 19<span class="s1"><sup>th</sup></span> running of $100,000 Giant’s Causeway by 2½ lengths over defending champion Ageless.</p>
<p class="p1">Trained by Arnaud Delacour and ridden for the first time by Julien Leparoux, Divining Rod boosted his total number of Kentucky Derby qualifying points to 20, a total that places him 21<span class="s1"><sup>st</sup></span> in the standings pending the Arkansas Derby (G1) result later Saturday.</p>
<p class="p1">The $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on May 2 is limited to the top 20 point earners that pass the entry box.</p>
<p class="p1">It was the third victory in the race for Leparoux, who previously had triumphed with Derby Kitten in 2011 and Winning Cause in 2013.</p>
<p class="p1">West Coast invader Fame and Power wrestled the early advantage from Divining Rod and led the field of seven through a first quarter-mile in :24.03. In the run up the backstretch, Fame and Power was soon tracked by Donworth and those two raced in that order to the head of the lane, where Divining Rod joined the fray and quickly pushed past.</p>
<p class="p1">A Kentucky-bred son of Tapit out of the Catienus mare Precious Kitten, Divining Rod improved his record to 5-2-1-2 and boosted his earnings to $249,800 with Saturday’s $150,000 check.</p>
<p class="p1">It was the first graded stakes victory for Divining Rod, who finished third in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and second in the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs in his previous two starts.</p>
<p class="p1">Divining Rod returned $7.80, $3.60 and $2.40. Donworth, who outnodded Fame and Power for second by a nose, returned $3.60 and $2.60 under Joel Rosario. Fame and Power, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., paid $2.60 to show.</p>
<p class="p1">Comfort rallied from last to finish fourth and was followed in order by Henry Jones, Tiznow R J and Quimet.</p>
<p class="p2 rtecenter">*****************</p>
<p class="p1">In the Ben Ali, Javier Castellano put Protonico on the lead out of the gate and never trailed in establishing a track record of 1:48.79 for 1 1/8 miles over Keeneland’s new dirt surface.</p>
<p class="p1">In giving trainer Todd Pletcher and Castellano their second stakes victory in two days, Protonico led the field of six through fractions of :23.95, :47.49 and 1:11.21 while under only mild pressure from Irish You Well.</p>
<p class="p1">At the head of the stretch, Protonico began to widen on the field and coasted home to his fifth victory in 10 career starts and third Grade 3 victory.</p>
<p class="p1">The victory was the third in the race for Castellano, who won aboard Wanderin Boy in 2006 and Exhi in 2011. Pletcher trained Exhi for his other Ben Ali triumph.</p>
<p class="p1">Protonico is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Giant’s Causeway out of the A.P. Indy mare Alpha Spirit. The winner’s share of $90,000 boosted his earnings to $590,507.</p>
<p class="p1">Protonico returned $3.60, $2.60 and $2.20. Neck ‘n Neck, ridden by Julien Leparoux, paid $6.20 and $4.60 and finished 2½ lengths in front of Ami’s Holiday, who paid $4.40 to show under Robby Albarado.</p>
<p class="p1">Irish You Well finished fourth and was followed in order by Golden Ticket and Farhaan.</p>
<p class="p2 rtecenter">*****************</p>
<p class="p1">In the Giant’s Causeway, Katie’s Eyes stalked the early pace set by Fioretti. Leaving the far turn, jockey Florent Geroux sent Katie’s Eyes after the leader, opened a clear margin at midstretch and had more than enough to hold off Ageless.</p>
<p class="p1">Katie’s Eyes completed the 5½ furlongs on a turf course labeled good in 1:02.78.</p>
<p class="p1">For trainer Michael Stidham, it was his second victory in the Giant’s Causeway to go with a score in 2012 with Flash Mash.</p>
<p class="p1">Katie’s Eyes is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) out of the Cape Town mare Get an Eye Full. Now a winner of three consecutive turf sprints, Katie’s Eyes improved her record to 9-4-0-3 and boosted her earnings to $168,161 with Saturday’s $60,000 check.</p>
<p class="p1">The winner returned $29, $10.40 and $5.60. Ageless, ridden by Julien Leparoux, returned $4 and $3 in finishing a length in front of Runway Ready, who paid $9.80 to show under Javier Castellano.</p>
<p class="p1">Favored Free as a Bird was another three-quarters of a length back in fourth and was followed in order by Henny Jenney, Fioretti, Gal About Town, Sweet Nkosi, Jewel of a Cat and Richies Party Girl.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/shared/272850/DIVINING-ROD---The-Coolmore-Lexington-Gr-III---34th-Running---04-11-15---R10---KEE---Inside-2.png?itok=RjzpPEbR" rel="lightbox[field_images][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/shared/272850/DIVINING-ROD---The-Coolmore-Lexington-Gr-III---34th-Running---04-11-15---R10---KEE---Inside-2.png?itok=a_M-aNv3" width="220" height="176" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-news-keywords field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/coolmore-lexington" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Coolmore Lexington</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/news-keywords/ben-ali" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ben Ali</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/giants-causeway" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Giant&#039;s Causeway</a></div></div></div>Sat, 11 Apr 2015 22:35:08 +0000cewert272850 at http://www.keeneland.comQuotes from the $150,000 Ben Ali (G3)http://www.keeneland.com/racing/quotes-150000-ben-ali-g3-0
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p class="p1 rtecenter">Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGb13V4er64" target="_blank"><span class="s1">here</span></a> for a replay of the race</p>
<p class="p2"><b>Tristan Barry (assistant to Todd Pletcher, winning trainer of Protonico)</b></p>
<p class="p3"><b>On Protonico’s performance in his last race, in which he was eased in the Feb. 7 Donn (G1) at Gulfstream.</b></p>
<p class="p3">“Just a complete head scratcher – throw it out. He’s back today.”</p>
<p class="p3"> </p>
<p class="p2"><b>Javier Castellano (winning rider)</b></p>
<p class="p3">“When we were handicapping the race, I didn’t see much speed. I took advantage – my horse has speed. I rode him before (when he broke his maiden in September 2013 at Delaware Park) and was in the lead wire to wire. I tried to do the same today, and it worked out very well. The way he did it (was) very easy. Turning for home, when I asked he responded so well.”</p>
<p class="p3"> </p>
<p class="p2"><b>Julien Leparoux (rider of runner-up Neck ‘n Neck)</b></p>
<p class="p3">“We broke good, sat right off the pace – right behind the winner actually. We were just second-best today. He ran a big race, though. He ran his race. Finished strong. Just couldn’t get past the winner.”</p>
<p class="p2"><b> </b></p>
<p class="p2"><b>Robby Albarado (rider of third-place finisher Ami’s Holiday)</b></p>
<p class="p3">“The horse ran great; it was a beautiful race. Just couldn’t keep up with the winner.”</p>
<p class="p2"><b> </b></p>
<p class="p2"><b>Joe Bravo (rider of fourth-place finisher Irish You Well)</b></p>
<p class="p3">“(He) ran great. Everything played out good. Protonico is a very nice horse. For our horse, I would have liked to break on the lead and keep on going. That position (was) taken, but he sat comfortable. My horse is nice. Today we just got outrun.”</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/shared/272843/Protonico---The-Ben-Ali-Gr-III---85th-Running---04-11-15---R05---KEE---Fin2.png?itok=SYQefxfQ" rel="lightbox[field_images][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/shared/272843/Protonico---The-Ben-Ali-Gr-III---85th-Running---04-11-15---R05---KEE---Fin2.png?itok=kKbfTsyp" width="220" height="176" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-news-keywords field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/quotes" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Quotes</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/news-keywords/ben-ali" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ben Ali</a></div></div></div>Sat, 11 Apr 2015 19:24:26 +0000cewert272843 at http://www.keeneland.comKeeneland Barn Notes for April 8http://www.keeneland.com/racing/keeneland-barn-notes-april-8
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><ul><li class="p1"><a href="#Divining"><b>DIVINING ROD TOPS FIELD OF SEVEN FOR SATURDAY’S COOLMORE LEXINGTON</b></a></li>
<li class="p1"><a href="#Evenly"><b>EVENLY MATCHED FIELD ENTERED FOR SATURDAY’S BEN ALI</b></a></li>
<li class="p1"><a href="#Ageless"><b>AGELESS VS. FREE AS A BIRD TAKE THREE IN SATURDAY’S GIANT’S CAUSEWAY</b></a></li>
<li class="p1"><a href="#Summer"><b>SUMMER FRONT RETURNS TO KEENELAND FOR FRIDAY’S MAKER’S 46 MILE</b></a></li>
<li class="p1"><a href="#Casse"><b>CASSE HOPING FOR FIRM TURF FOR ZA APPROVAL IN MAKER’S 46 MILE</b></a></li>
<li class="p1"><a href="#Galloping"><b>GALLOPING OUT</b></a></li>
<li class="p1"><a href="#Upcoming"><b>UPCOMING STAKES PROBABLES</b></a></li>
<li class="p1"><a href="#Upcoming"><b>UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS</b></a></li>
<li class="p2"><a href="#Spring"><b>SPRING MEET LEADERS</b></a></li>
</ul><p class="p3 rtecenter"><a id="Divining" name="Divining"><b>DIVINING ROD TOPS FIELD OF SEVEN<br />
FOR SATURDAY’S COOLMORE LEXINGTON</b></a></p>
<p class="p4">Lael Stables’ <b>Divining</b> <b>Rod</b>, runner-up in the Sam F. Davis (G3) and third-place finisher in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), tops a field of seven 3-year-olds entered Wednesday for Saturday’s 34<span class="s3"><sup>th</sup></span> running of the $250,000 Coolmore Lexington (G3).</p>
<p class="p4">The 1 1/16-mile main track test serves as the final chance in Kentucky for horses to earn points toward the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1). The race offers 17 points on a 10-4-2-1 scale. None of Saturday’s entrants is expected to compete in the Run for the Roses.</p>
<p class="p4">The Coolmore Lexington will go as the 10<span class="s3"><sup>th</sup></span> race on Saturday’s 11-race program with a 5:18 p.m. ET post time. First post Saturday is 12:35 p.m.</p>
<p class="p4">Trained by Arnaud Delacour, Divining Rod set the pace in the Tampa Bay Derby in which he finished 7½ lengths behind <b>Carpe</b> <b>Diem</b>, who won last Saturday’s Toyota Blue Grass (G1).</p>
<p class="p4">Julien Leparoux has the mount on Divining Rod and will break from post position one.</p>
<p class="p4">Invading from California for the race is Juddmonte Farms’ <b>Fame</b> <b>and</b> <b>Power</b>, trained by Bob Baffert.</p>
<p class="p4">Fame and Power broke his maiden in his most recent start going seven furlongs at Santa Anita on March 8. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount on Fame and Power, who will exit post position six.</p>
<p class="p4">The field for the Coolmore Lexington, from the rail out, is as follows: Divining Rod (Leparoux, 118 pounds), <b>Comfort</b> (Javier Castellano, 118), <b>Quimet</b> (Jose Lezcano, 118), <b>Tiznow</b> <b>R</b> <b>J</b> (Robby Albarado, 118), <b>Henry</b> <b>Jones</b> (Paco Lopez, 118), Fame and Power (Ortiz Jr., 118) and <b>Donworth</b> (Joel Rosario, 118).</p>
<p class="p4"> </p>
<p class="p3 rtecenter">
<a id="Evenly" name="Evenly"><b>EVENLY MATCHED FIELD ENTERED FOR SATURDAY’S BEN ALI</b></a></p>
<p class="p4">Sumaya U.S. Stables’ <b>Protonico</b>, winner of the Discovery (G3) and runner-up in the Clark (G1) to close 2014, will carry top weight of 120 pounds in a field of six entered Wednesday for the 85<span class="s3"><sup>th</sup></span> running of the $150,000 Ben Ali (G3) for older horses going 1 1/8 miles on the main track.</p>
<p class="p4">The Ben Ali will go as the fifth race Saturday afternoon with a 2:38 post time.</p>
<p class="p4">Trained by Todd Pletcher, who won the race in 2011 with <b>Exhi</b>, Protonico was eased in his most recent start in the Donn (G1). Since arriving at Keeneland, Protonico worked a half-mile in 47.20, the fastest of 86 times at the distance, on Sunday.</p>
<p class="p4">Javier Castellano, a two-time Ben Ali winner, has the mount on Protonico and will break from post position five.</p>
<p class="p4">The lone Grade 1 winner in the race is Magic City Thoroughbred Partners’ <b>Golden</b> <b>Ticket</b>.</p>
<p class="p4">Dead-heat winner of the 2012 Travers, Golden Ticket is trained by Ken McPeek. Third in the Razorback (G3) at Oaklawn in his 2015 debut, Golden Ticket will break from post position four and be ridden by Joel Rosario.</p>
<p class="p4">The field for the Ben Ali, from the rail out, is as follows: <b>Neck</b> <b>‘n</b> <b>Neck</b> (Julien Leparoux, 118 pounds), <b>Ami’s</b> <b>Holiday</b> (Robby Albarado, 118), <b>Farhaan</b> (Irad Ortiz Jr., 118), <b>Golden Ticket</b> (Rosario, 118), Protonico (Castellano, 120) and <b>Irish</b> <b>You</b> <b>Well</b> (Florent Geroux, 118).</p>
<p class="p4"> </p>
<p class="p3 rtecenter">
<a id="Ageless" name="Ageless"><b>AGELESS VS. FREE AS A BIRD TAKE THREE<br />
IN SATURDAY’S GIANT’S CAUSEWAY</b></a></p>
<p class="p4">Lael Stable’s <b>Ageless</b> and Elizabeth Valando’s <b>Free</b> <b>as</b> <b>a</b> <b>Bird</b> met twice at Keeneland in 2014 with the net result being a split decision between the mares.</p>
<p class="p4">Ageless won the Giant’s Causeway by three-quarters of a length over Free as a Bird with the latter turning the tables in the Fall with a 1½-length victory over Ageless in the Buffalo Trace Franklin County.</p>
<p class="p4">On Saturday, the two will hook up again along with 10 other fillies and mares in the 19<span class="s3"><sup>th</sup></span> running of the $100,000 Giant’s Causeway at 5½ furlongs on the grass. The Giant’s Causeway will go as Saturday’s seventh race with a 3:40 p.m. post time.</p>
<p class="p4">Arnaud Delacour trains Ageless, who is trying to become the first repeat winner of the Giant’s Causeway. Ageless will be making her 2015 debut with her most recent start being a fourth-place finish against the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1).</p>
<p class="p4">Julien Leparoux has the mount Saturday and will break from post position four.</p>
<p class="p4">Free as a Bird, trained by Ian Wilkes, has won all six of her races since last year’s Giant’s Causeway. She won her 2015 debut three weeks ago in the Captiva Island Handicap at Gulfstream Park.</p>
<p class="p4">Regular rider Joel Rosario has the call Saturday and will break from post position 11.</p>
<p class="p4">The field for the Giant’s Causeway, from the inside out, is as follows: <b>Richies</b> <b>Party</b> <b>Girl</b> (Albin Jimenez, 123 pounds), <b>Jewel</b> <b>of</b> <b>a</b> <b>Cat</b> (Paco Lopez, 118), <b>Henny</b> <b>Jenney</b> (Corey Lanerie, 118), Ageless (Leparoux, 123), <b>Gal</b> <b>About</b> <b>Town</b> (Dylan Davis, 118), <b>Runway</b> <b>Ready</b> (Javier Castellano, 118), <b>Believe</b> <b>in</b> <b>Charlie</b> (Rajiv Maragh, 118), <b>Katie’s</b> <b>Eyes</b> (Florent Geroux, 120), <b>On</b> <b>the</b> <b>Backstreets</b> (Rafael Hernandez, 118), <b>Sweet</b> <b>Nkosi</b> (Brian Hernandez Jr., 118), Free as a Bird (Rosario, 123) and <b>Fioretti</b> (Jack Gilligan, 118). </p>
<p class="p4"> </p>
<p class="p3 rtecenter">
<a id="Summer" name="Summer"><b>SUMMER FRONT RETURNS TO KEENELAND<br />
FOR FRIDAY’S MAKER’S 46 MILE</b></a></p>
<p class="p4">Friday’s $300,000 Maker’s 46 Mile (G1) will mark the third Keeneland start for Waterford Stable’s Grade 2-winning millionaire, <b>Summer Front</b>. Christophe Clement trains the 6-year-old son of War Front, who concluded his 2014 campaign with a fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) and began 2015 with a second to <b>Ring Weekend</b> in the March 7 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) at Santa Anita.</p>
<p class="p4">“He’s really good. He feels like a million dollars,” Clement assistant Lee Vickers said after galloping Summer Front around the main track Wednesday morning. “All systems go.”</p>
<p class="p4">At Keeneland, Summer Front was second in the 2012 Coolmore Lexington (G3) on Polytrack. In 2013, he was seventh here in the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1). Overall, the horse has three seconds and two thirds in Grade 1 races.</p>
<p class="p4">“He needs to capture that elusive Grade 1,” Vickers said about the Keeneland sales graduate. “He’s actually been unlucky. He should have had a couple in the bag.”</p>
<p class="p4">On Saturday, Clement will send out Speedway Stable’s <b>Hard Not to Like</b> in a bid for her second consecutive victory in the Jenny Wiley (G1). A year ago, the daughter of Hard Spun won the 1 1/16-mile race on the turf course for her previous connections: owner Hillsbrook Farms and trainer Michael Matz. Finishing second by a half-length in that race was <b>Discreet Marq</b>, a filly trained by Clement.</p>
<p class="p4">Last year’s Jenny Wiley marked the final race of 2014 for Hard Not to Like, who was back here less than six months later. At Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale, she sold for $1.5 million to Speedway Stables, Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner.</p>
<p class="p4">Now 6, Hard Not to Like opened her 2015 career at Tampa Bay in the Jan. 31 Lambholm South Endeavour (G3). She crossed the finish line first in the 1 1/16-mile race on turf but was disqualified for interference and placed second.</p>
<p class="p4">“She’s done everything right since then,” Vickers said, “and she deserves to line up against a top field again.”</p>
<p class="p4">With a victory, Hard Not to Like will join champion <b>Intercontinental (GB)</b> as the only two-time winners of the Jenny Wiley. Intercontinental won the race in 2004-2005.</p>
<p class="p4"> </p>
<p class="p3 rtecenter">
<a id="Casse" name="Casse"><b>CASSE HOPING FOR FIRM TURF FOR ZA APPROVAL IN MAKER’S 46 MILE</b></a></p>
<p class="p4">Toward the end of 2014, trainer Mark Casse received a surprise addition to his barn in millionaire <b>Za</b> <b>Approval</b> for Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation.</p>
<p class="p4">“I have trained for them for a couple of years and have five or six horses for them. One day they called and said they’d like us to train him,” Casse said. “The thing is that we race in California and he likes it in California. You never complain when you get one like him in the barn.”</p>
<p class="p4">Now 7 and the oldest entrant in Friday’s $300,000 Maker’s 46 Mile (G1), Za Approval comes to Keeneland off a fourth-place finish in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) and a runner-up finish in the Arcadia (G2), also at a mile. Mike Smith, who was aboard both times, has the mount Friday.</p>
<p class="p4">What concerns Casse about Friday’s race is the possibility of soft turf.</p>
<p class="p4">“I have been looking back at his past performances and the only race I see on yielding turf was back in 2012 and he finished eighth,” Casse said. “We will wait and see what happens (with the weather), but as long as it isn’t really soft, we’ll run.”</p>
<p class="p4">One of the other Live Oak horses Casse has is Za Approval’s half-brother, <b>World</b> <b>Approval</b>.</p>
<p class="p4">“He just won a stake Saturday at Tampa (the Sophomore Turf Stakes) and we are going to run him next in the ($250,000) American Turf (G2 at 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs) on Derby Day,” Casse said.</p>
<p class="p4"> </p>
<p class="p3 rtecenter">
<a id="Galloping" name="Galloping"><b>GALLOPING OUT</b></a></p>
<p class="p4">Pin Oak Stable’s homebred <b>Don’t</b> <b>Leave</b> <b>Me</b>, the three-quarter length winner of the Bourbonette Oaks (G3) at Turfway on March 21 in her most recent start, will not be pointed to the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).</p>
<p class="p4">“She was never on the Oaks trail,” trainer Malcolm Pierce said Wednesday morning of Don’t Leave Me, who earned 50 qualifying points for the Oaks that would be enough to earn a spot in the 14-horse starting gate.</p>
<p class="p4">Don’t Leave Me has won three of four starts with all races coming on grass or all-weather surfaces. Pierce did not consider supplementing the filly to Sunday’s $125,000 Appalachian (G3) Presented by Japan Racing Association at a mile on the turf.</p>
<p class="p4">“She just ran a huge race off a (six-month) layoff and I want to give her plenty of time,” Pierce said. “I will nominate her to the ($150,000) Edgewood (G3 on May 1 at Churchill) as a consideration but probably she will go next in the Selene (a Grade 3 race for $150,000 at Woodbine on May 24).</p>
<p class="p4">“It is a long year, and as long as you get the money it doesn’t matter if it is in the spring or the fall.”</p>
<p class="p4"> </p>
<p class="p3 rtecenter">
<a id="Upcoming" name="Upcoming"><b>UPCOMING STAKES PROBABLES</b></a></p>
<p class="p4"><b>$250,000 Adena Springs Beaumont (G2) (Entries taken tomorrow, race Sunday, April 12) – </b>Delightful Joy, Divine Dawn, Fantastic Style, Majestic Presence, Taylor S, Zeven. Possible: Harlan’s Destiny.</p>
<p class="p4"><b>$125,000 Appalachian (G3) Presented By Japan Racing Association (Entries taken tomorrow, race Sunday, April 12) – </b>Asia,<b> </b>Lady Eli, Lady Zuzu, Leading Edge, Lismore, Mizz Money, Tiger Ride. Possible: Quality Rocks.</p>
<p class="p4"> </p>
<p class="p3 rtecenter"><a id="Upcoming" name="Upcoming"><b>UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS</b></a></p>
<p class="p3 rtecenter"><b>Wednesday, April 8</b></p>
<p class="p4"><b>Horses and Hope Pink Day. </b>Keeneland and Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear join forces to host<b> </b>Horses and Hope Pink Day<b> </b>to promote breast cancer awareness. Wear pink to the races in support of the cause. Prior to the races, a survivor’s luncheon and fashion show – with partners the Keeneland Gift Shop, Talbots and the Spa at Griffin Gate – takes place in the Keene Barn &amp; Entertainment Center. More information can be found at <a href="http://horsesandhope.org/events.php"><span class="s4">Horsesandhope.org</span></a>.</p>
<p class="p4"><b>WINS-day Challenge, a handicapping contest presented by Malone’s and </b><i>Daily Racing Form</i>. At Wagering Central, contestants can sign up to play for a $10 entry fee, then place a mythical $2 win and place wager on Keeneland races 3 through 8. The contest offers a guaranteed $2,500 pool, and the first 200 participants receive a free <i>Daily Racing Form</i> and a card for a free appetizer at Malone’s. <br />
</p>
<p class="p4 rtecenter"><b>Friday, April 10</b></p>
<p class="p4"><b>Maker’s Mark Commemorative Bottle signing</b> takes place in the Keene Barn &amp; Entertainment Center at 8:30 a.m. ET. Sales of the bottle began April 3 at retail locations across Kentucky and benefit the University of Kentucky Athletics Association’s Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (C.A.T.S). More information on the bottle signing can be found at <a href="https://www.keeneland.com/calendar/makers-mark-bottle-signing"><span class="s4">keeneland.com/calendar/makers-mark-bottle-signing</span></a>.</p>
<p class="p4"><b>Craft Beer Tent.</b> Located on the North Terrace patio, the popular Craft Beer Tent offers a special selection, including Blue Stallion, Country Boy, Fat Tire, Kentucky Ale, Land Shark, Shock Top, Sierra Nevada, Sweetwater and Woodchuck Hard Cider.</p>
<p class="p4"><b>The Hill</b>. Located adjacent to the Keene Barn &amp; Entertainment Center, will feature food trucks, a jumbo television screen, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, race-day programs, a Keeneland Gift Shop kiosk and free shuttles to the track. BETologists also will be available to answer fans’ questions.</p>
<p class="p4"><b>$200,000-Guaranteed Pick Four Presented by TVG. </b>Pick the winners of the day’s final four races, including the $300,000 Maker’s 46 Mile (G1).</p>
<p class="p3 rtecenter">
<b>Saturday, April 11</b></p>
<p class="p4"><b>Sunrise Trackside.</b> Want to experience the sights and sounds of Keeneland many don’t get to see? Sunrise Trackside, sponsored by LEX18 and Dunkin’ Donuts, offers activities for all ages beginning at 7 a.m. Fans can enjoy Breakfast With the Works, a Southern-style breakfast and trackside commentary while horses train on the main track (until 8:30 a.m.); children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7-9 a.m.); guided walking tours of Keeneland (8-10:30 a.m.); demonstration in the Paddock from the Lexington Mounted Police (9 a.m.); trackside handicapping seminar (11 a.m.); and a Q&amp;A session in the Paddock with jockey Kerwin Clark, winner of Saturday’s $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1) on Lovely Maria (12:05 p.m.). Keeneland Bugler Steve Buttleman will be on hand to take photos with fans.</p>
<p class="p4"><b>The Hill</b>. Located adjacent to the Keene Barn &amp; Entertainment Center, will feature food trucks, a jumbo television screen, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, race-day programs, a Keeneland Gift Shop kiosk and free shuttles to the track. On Saturdays, fans can enjoy live music. BETologists also will be available to answer fans’ questions.</p>
<p class="p3 rtecenter"><b>Sunday, April 12</b></p>
<p class="p4">Keeneland’s inaugural<b> Kids Club Day </b>gives all Kids Club members and their families free general admission with their Kids Club badge at any pass gate. Children’s activities, including face painting and crafts, in the North Terrace from noon to 4 p.m. The Keeneland Kids Club is the free Official Kids Club for Keeneland fans 12 and under. Members of the Kids Club will receive a personalized membership pass, birthday card from Buckles, discounts, invitations to exclusive Kids Club events and more.</p>
<p class="p3"> </p>
<p class="p3 rtecenter"><a id="Spring" name="Spring"><b>SPRING MEET LEADERS</b></a></p>
<p class="p3"><b>Through April 4 (1</b><span class="s3"><b><sup>st</sup></b></span><b> two days of racing)</b></p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tabulardata" style="width: 300px;"><tbody><tr><td class="td1" valign="top">
<p class="p5"><b>Jockey</b></p>
</td>
<td class="td2" valign="top">
<p class="p5"><b>Starts</b></p>
</td>
<td class="td3" valign="top">
<p class="p5"><b>Wins</b></p>
</td>
<td class="td4" valign="top">
<p class="p5"><b>2nd</b></p>
</td>
<td class="td5" valign="top">
<p class="p5"><b>3rd</b></p>
</td>
<td class="td6" valign="top">
<p class="p5"><b>Purses</b></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td class="td7" valign="top">
<p class="p5">John Velazquez</p>
</td>
<td class="td8" valign="top">
<p class="p5">9</p>
</td>
<td class="td9" valign="top">
<p class="p5">2</p>
</td>
<td class="td10" valign="top">
<p class="p5">3</p>
</td>
<td class="td11" valign="top">
<p class="p5">1</p>
</td>
<td class="td12" valign="top">
<p class="p5">$836,500</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td class="td7" valign="top">
<p class="p5">Corey Lanerie</p>
</td>
<td class="td8" valign="top">
<p class="p5">8</p>
</td>
<td class="td9" valign="top">
<p class="p5">2</p>
</td>
<td class="td10" valign="top">
<p class="p5">1</p>
</td>
<td class="td11" valign="top">
<p class="p5">2</p>
</td>
<td class="td12" valign="top">
<p class="p5">$97,441</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td class="td7" valign="top">
<p class="p5">Jose Lezcano</p>
</td>
<td class="td8" valign="top">
<p class="p5">7</p>
</td>
<td class="td9" valign="top">
<p class="p5">2</p>
</td>
<td class="td10" valign="top">
<p class="p5">0</p>
</td>
<td class="td11" valign="top">
<p class="p5">1</p>
</td>
<td class="td12" valign="top">
<p class="p5">$100,800</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td class="td7" valign="top">
<p class="p5">Shaun Bridgmohan</p>
</td>
<td class="td8" valign="top">
<p class="p5">7</p>
</td>
<td class="td9" valign="top">
<p class="p5">2</p>
</td>
<td class="td10" valign="top">
<p class="p5">0</p>
</td>
<td class="td11" valign="top">
<p class="p5">0</p>
</td>
<td class="td12" valign="top">
<p class="p5">$131,014</p>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p class="p5"> </p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tabulardata" style="width: 300px;"><tbody><tr><td class="td13" valign="top">
<p class="p5"><b>Trainer</b></p>
</td>
<td class="td14" valign="top">
<p class="p5"><b>Starts</b></p>
</td>
<td class="td3" valign="top">
<p class="p5"><b>Wins</b></p>
</td>
<td class="td4" valign="top">
<p class="p5"><b>2nd</b></p>
</td>
<td class="td5" valign="top">
<p class="p5"><b>3rd</b></p>
</td>
<td class="td6" valign="top">
<p class="p5"><b>Purses</b></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td class="td15" valign="top">
<p class="p5">Todd Pletcher</p>
</td>
<td class="td16" valign="top">
<p class="p5">7</p>
</td>
<td class="td9" valign="top">
<p class="p5">2</p>
</td>
<td class="td10" valign="top">
<p class="p5">3</p>
</td>
<td class="td11" valign="top">
<p class="p5">1</p>
</td>
<td class="td12" valign="top">
<p class="p5">$826,300</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td class="td15" valign="top">
<p class="p5">Kiaran McLaughlin</p>
</td>
<td class="td16" valign="top">
<p class="p5">4</p>
</td>
<td class="td9" valign="top">
<p class="p5">2</p>
</td>
<td class="td10" valign="top">
<p class="p5">0</p>
</td>
<td class="td11" valign="top">
<p class="p5">0</p>
</td>
<td class="td12" valign="top">
<p class="p5">$118,086</p>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/shared/272766/Photo.jpg?itok=Lb8SudA0" rel="lightbox[field_images][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/shared/272766/Photo.jpg?itok=GXi5iSqm" width="220" height="157" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-news-keywords field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/barnnotes" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">#BarnNotes</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/news-keywords/coolmore-lexington" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Coolmore Lexington</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/ben-ali" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ben Ali</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/news-keywords/makers-46-mile" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Maker&#039;s 46 Mile</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/giants-causeway" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Giant&#039;s Causeway</a></div></div></div>Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:18:16 +0000cewert272766 at http://www.keeneland.comMr Speaker Takes Coolmore Lexington; Frac Daddy Romps in Ben Ali and Ageless Rallies to Win Giant’s Causewayhttp://www.keeneland.com/racing/mr-speaker-takes-coolmore-lexington-frac-daddy-romps-ben-ali-and-ageless-rallies-win-giants
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p class="rtecenter"><strong><em>Keeneland draws 34,933 fans for fourth-largest crowd in track history</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>LEXINGTON,</strong> <strong>KY</strong> <strong>(April</strong> <strong>19</strong>, <strong>2014</strong>) <strong>–</strong> Phipps Stable’s homebred Mr Speaker, under a ground-saving ride from Jose Lezcano, took command at the head of the stretch to score a four-length victory in the 33<sup>rd</sup> running of the $200,000 Coolmore Lexington (G3) for 3-year-olds before a sun-drenched crowd of 34,933 on Saturday at Keeneland. It was the fourth-largest attendance in track history.</p>
<p>Also notching stakes wins Saturday were Magic City Thoroughbred Partners’ Frac Daddy, who blew away nine rivals to win the 84<sup>th</sup> running of the $150,000 Ben Ali (G3) by 4 3/4 lengths and Lael Stables’ Ageless in the 18<sup>th</sup>running of the $100,000 Giant’s Causeway.</p>
<p>Trained by Shug McGaughey, Mr Speaker raced next to the rail while tracking early leaders Solitary Ranger and Supermonic, who raced through fractions of :24.13, :48.07 and 1:13.17.</p>
<p>Leaving the far turn, Lezcano moved Mr Speaker off the rail and surged around the leaders to quickly take over en route to completing the 1 1/16 miles on the main track in 1:44.18.</p>
<p>A Kentucky-bred son of Pulpit out of the Unbridled mare Salute, Mr Speaker improved his record to 7-3-1-1 and boosted his earnings to $269,880 with Saturday’s $120,000 check.</p>
<p>As the favorite in the field of eight, Mr Speaker returned $6.20, $3.40 and $2.40. Divine Oath finished second under Javier Castellano to return $3.80 and $2.80 in finishing a head in front of stablemate Supermonic, who paid $3 to show under Joel Rosario.</p>
<p>Finishing another three-quarters of a length back in fourth was Ami’s Holiday, who was followed in order by Solitary Ranger, Poker Player, Z Lucky and Ride Away.</p>
<p>In the Ben Ali, 2011 Keeneland sales graduate Frac Daddy tracked pace-setting Red Rifle to the middle of the far turn, where he took command and then drew off unopposed to complete the 1 1/8 miles on the main track in 1:49.61.</p>
<p>Now undefeated in two starts on Polytrack, Frac Daddy boosted his record to 14-4-5-0 and hiked his earnings to $515,280 with Saturday’s $90,000 check.</p>
<p>Ridden by Alan Garcia and trained by Ken McPeek, Frac Daddy is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Scat Daddy out of the Skip Away mare Skipper’s Mate.</p>
<p>Frac Daddy returned $13.20, $6.80 and $5. Stealcase, ridden by Stewart Elliott, rallied to finish second and pay $13.20 and $9.60 while finishing three-quarters of a length in front of Nikki’s Sandcastle, who paid $6.60 to show under Corey Lanerie.</p>
<p>Favored Newsdad finished another 2¼ lengths back and was followed in order by Farhaan, Joha, Winning Cause, Norumbega, Red Rifle and Hattaash.</p>
<p>In the Giant’s Causeway, Ageless rallied down the middle of the firm turf course to overtake Free as a Bird in deep stretch to register a three-quarter length victory under Julien Leparoux and give trainer Arnaud Delacour his first Keeneland stakes victory.</p>
<p>A 2010 Keeneland sales graduate, Ageless is a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Successful Appeal out of the Point Given mare Special One. The victory was worth $60,000 and increased Ageless’ earnings to $204,940 with a record of 12-6-2-2.</p>
<p>Ageless completed the 5½ furlongs in 1:03.18.</p>
<p>Ageless returned $18.40, $9.20 and $6. Free as a Bird, ridden by Joel Rosario, returned $8.60 and $6.20 while 2013 winner Sweet Cassiopeia finished a half-length back in third under Joe Rocco Jr. and paid $7.80 to show.</p>
<p>Point to the Wild finished fourth and was followed in order by Queen’s Award, Run a Risk, Allwewantforxmas, Saturday Nthe Park, favored Believe in Charlie and To My Valentine (FR).</p>
<p>Keeneland will be dark on Easter Sunday. Racing will resume Wednesday with an eight-race program as the Spring Meet enters its final week. Post time for the first race is 1:05 p.m. ET.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/shared/27163/WEB_MR-SPEAKER---The-Coolmore-Lexington-Gr-III---04-19-14---R09---KEE---Inside.jpg?itok=rlFW8BdL" rel="lightbox[field_images][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/shared/27163/WEB_MR-SPEAKER---The-Coolmore-Lexington-Gr-III---04-19-14---R09---KEE---Inside.jpg?itok=71xY7YLS" width="220" height="176" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-news-keywords field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/2014-spring-meet" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">2014 Spring Meet</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/news-keywords/coolmore-lexington" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Coolmore Lexington</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/ben-ali" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ben Ali</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/news-keywords/giants-causeway" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Giant&#039;s Causeway</a></div></div></div>Sat, 19 Apr 2014 22:23:43 +0000hsaxon27163 at http://www.keeneland.comQuotes from the $150,000 Ben Ali (G3)http://www.keeneland.com/racing/quotes-150000-ben-ali-g3
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong>Ken McPeek (winning trainer of Frac Daddy)</strong></p>
<p>“He’s been training freaky good lately. From the beginning, he’s been an extremely talented horse but mentally he was a horse that was a little fragile. I think the (Kentucky) Derby (G1) was a little tough on him because of the big field and it came up muddy, but the older he’s getting, the better he’s getting obviously.</p>
<p>“I wish (co-owner) Carter Stewart was here. He’s owner of (Grade 1 Travers winner) Golden Ticket, too. He loves doing this, and I told him two weeks ago if we run in the Ben Ali, ‘You better get your tail to Keeneland – he’s going to win there.’</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>On whether Frac Daddy might race on the dirt at Churchill Downs</strong></p>
<p>“I don’t know about that. Actually may shift him back to the grass if there aren’t any Polytrack races available, and they’re going to be slim. So I don’t know what I’m going to do with him this fall – we’ll worry about that later.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Alan Garcia (winning rider)</strong></p>
<p>“Trip was very easy. He broke good, real sharp, right beside the speed. He was in control all the way to the top of the stretch. When I asked a couple of times, he took off. He was so easy to rate. He’s an impressive horse. Kenny (McPeek) did an excellent job with this one.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Stewart Elliott (rider of runner-up Stealcase)</strong></p>
<p>“I had a good trip. My horse ran a great race. The winner just took off. It was my first time (riding Stealcase) and he is a very nice horse, but the winner was a little too much today.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Corey Lanerie (rider of third-place finisher Nikki’s Sandcastle)</strong></p>
<p>“My horse broke really good and then settled in for me nicely. The pace was a little slow. I was stuck behind ‘em and just had to wait for some running room. When I asked my horse, he came running and ran well.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Joel Rosario (rider of fourth-place finisher and beaten 3-1 favorite Newsdad)</strong></p>
<p>“We were a little farther back than what I thought we were going to be. I know he likes to come from off the pace but (the field) was getting away from me so I had to ride him a little to keep him in the race. He finished after that; he was coming. I didn’t think they were going that fast; I just couldn’t get him any closer than that, but he finished.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Rodolphe Brisset (assistant to Bill Mott, trainer of Newsdad)</strong></p>
<p>“The horse put himself a little too far back, and Joel (Rosario) said he never really got him in the right rhythm. He made up ground, but we didn’t have any pace to run at. When you go :25, :49 and change on this race track, it’s very difficult to make up ground. We know this is his running style, but maybe on the Poly he doesn't have the same turn of foot he showed on the turf last time (in the Grade 2 Pan American at Gulfstream).”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLgFOQyA8Kc">here</a> for a video clip of the Ben Ali (G3)</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/shared/27161/WEB_FRAC-DADDY----The-Ben-Ali-Gr-III---84th-Running---04-19-14---R08---KEE---Fin.jpg?itok=bQmuHH-d" rel="lightbox[field_images][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/shared/27161/WEB_FRAC-DADDY----The-Ben-Ali-Gr-III---84th-Running---04-19-14---R08---KEE---Fin.jpg?itok=MkX9WgBB" width="220" height="176" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-news-keywords field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/2014-spring-meet" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">2014 Spring Meet</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/news-keywords/ben-ali" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ben Ali</a></div></div></div>Sat, 19 Apr 2014 21:29:58 +0000hsaxon27161 at http://www.keeneland.comBarn Notes -- Thursday, April 17http://www.keeneland.com/about/barn-notes-thursday-april-17
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p class="rtecenter"><strong>VANMETER MAKES KEENELAND DEBUT WITH PEARL TURN</strong></p>
<p><strong>Pearl Turn</strong> represents a number of firsts for her 30-year-old trainer, Will VanMeter. On March 14 at Oaklawn, the 4-year-old Bernardini filly became his first winner when she captured an allowance race by five lengths. On Friday, she will be VanMeter’s first starter in a stakes and first starter at Keeneland when she breaks from post three in the $100,000 Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare (G3) with Rosie Napravnik.</p>
<p>Asked why he decided to run Pearl Turn against the likes of <strong>Emollient</strong> in the Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare, VanMeter said the filly “made the decision. She was doing so well and acting like she wanted to step up. She’s been acting very, very confident coming off her last race.”</p>
<p>VanMeter, who has four horses at Keeneland, is the son of successful horseman Tom VanMeter, who owns Pearl Turn with Brad Grady. The elder VanMeter, a former practicing equine veterinarian who is a prominent sales consignor, bought Pearl Turn for $200,000 at the 2014 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale.</p>
<p>After graduating from Lexington’s Sayre School, VanMeter spent two years in the Army. He then attended the University of Louisville and earned a degree in equine business. Soon after, he went to work for Racing Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas at Oaklawn, an experience he likened to “going to college and receiving a doctorate.”</p>
<p>VanMeter expects a large turnout of family and friends to watch Pearl Turn.</p>
<p>“It’s an honor to start a horse at Keeneland,” he said. “It feels extra special to bring such a nice horse here. She’s 50-1 (in the morning line), but she doesn’t know she’s 50-1. I think she’s sitting on a big race.”</p>
<p class="rtecenter">
</p>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>GOLD MEDAL DANCER BRINGS VON HEMEL BACK TO KEENELAND</strong></p>
<p>It has been 2½ years since Donnie Von Hemel has been at Keeneland during a race meet, and that streak should end Friday when he sends Pin Oak Stable’s <strong>Gold</strong> <strong>Medal</strong> <strong>Dancer</strong> postward in the 20<sup>th</sup> running of the Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare (G3).</p>
<p>“I don’t believe we have been there since <strong>Caleb’s</strong> <strong>Posse</strong>,” Von Hemel said from Churchill Downs. Caleb’s Posse did his major prep work at Keeneland for the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), which he won by a widening four lengths.</p>
<p>In Gold Medal Dancer, who will be ridden Friday by Luis Quinonez, Von Hemel has a filly that won her career debut on Polytrack at Arlington in September 2012 and has an allowance victory at Oaklawn to start 2014.</p>
<p>“I don’t think she has a preferred surface; she has won on all of them,” Von Hemel said.</p>
<p>Gold Medal Dancer closed her 2013 campaign with runner-up finishes in the Remington Park Oaks and Zia Park Oaks before returning to the races March 20.</p>
<p>“With the winter we had at Oaklawn Park, we did not get as much done as we had hoped,” Von Hemel said. “We looked at races there and some races back this way and this race fit in nicely.”</p>
<p>A homebred daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, Gold Medal Dancer has compiled a record of 9-4-3-0 with her only off-the-board finishes coming in graded stakes.</p>
<p>“In the Eight Belles (G3) which was her third career start, we probably asked her to do too much too soon,” Von Hemel said. “She only got beat about five lengths, was surrounded by horses the whole way and never really got going.</p>
<p>“In the Iowa Oaks (G3), she was in against <strong>Fiftyshadesofhay</strong>, but I thought she would be there with the rest of them. I was disappointed. It was not her best day and she got a break after that.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>BATTLE-TESTED FRAC DADDY RETURNS TO POLYTRACK FOR SATURDAY’S BEN ALI</strong></p>
<p>Magic City Thoroughbred Partners’ <strong>Frac</strong> <strong>Daddy</strong>, a participant in last year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) and Belmont (G1), has won races on dirt, turf and Polytrack in his career, but the Polytrack score here during the 2013 Fall Meet may been the most impressive.</p>
<p>“That was a monster race,” trainer Ken McPeek said of the 3½-length allowance victory that was completed under wraps.</p>
<p>McPeek is hoping for a similar effort Saturday when he sends Frac Daddy to the gate in the 84<sup>th</sup> running of the $150,000 Ben Ali (G3) at 1 1/8 miles.</p>
<p>“I think he needs to run at a certain distance,” McPeek said of Frac Daddy, who finished second in his 2014 debut on dirt in the Maxxam Gold Cup going 1 1/8 miles at Sam Houston on March 1. “Right now he is probably a Grade 3 horse until he proves to be more competitive.”</p>
<p>Frac Daddy earned his trip to the Kentucky Derby with a runner-up finish in the Arkansas Derby (G1). He finished 16<sup>th</sup> in the Kentucky Derby and 14<sup>th</sup> in the Belmont.</p>
<p>“We put him in some ambitious spots last year,” McPeek said. “(Owner) Carter Stewart might like those spots better than me. He said when he played quarterback that sometimes you’ve just got to go deep.”</p>
<p>McPeek said that <strong>Rosalind</strong>, dead-heat winner of the Central Bank Ashland (G1) on April 5, is scheduled to work here Saturday morning as she prepares for an engagement in the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 2 at Churchill Downs.</p>
<p>Rosalind is expected to ship to Churchill next week and have one work there prior to the Oaks.</p>
<p class="rtecenter">
</p>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>50 TO 1 MOVIE TOUR STOPS AT KEENELAND ON FRIDAY</strong></p>
<p>Keeneland celebrates the arrival on Friday of the 50 to 1 Movie Tour with a special appearance by <strong>Mine That Bird</strong>.</p>
<p>The movie “50 to 1,” which chronicles Mine That Bird’s improbable journey to victory in the 2009 Kentucky Derby (G1), opens in theaters in Lexington and across Kentucky on Friday.</p>
<p>Lexington is the final stop on the 1,700-mile, cross-country promotional tour that began in mid-March at Sunland Park near El Paso, Texas.</p>
<p>Friday’s events at Keeneland will kick off at 1 p.m. ET with a fan meet-and-greet with the connections of Mine That Bird and members of the movie cast and crew. Expected to attend are Mine That Bird’s owners, Mark Allen and Leonard “Doc” Blach; the movie’s director, Jim Wilson; writer, Faith Conroy, and actors Skeet Ulrich and Todd Lowe.</p>
<p>Mine Than Bird will be paraded in the Paddock around 2:30 p.m., and the connections and cast will be recognized in the Winner’s Circle at 2:50 p.m.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>ENJOY AN EXCLUSIVE EVENING WITH KENTUCKY DERBY-WINNING CONNECTIONS AT “IT’S MY DERBY” ON FRIDAY AT KEENELAND</strong></p>
<p>Racing fans are invited to rub elbows with Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning owners, trainers and jockeys at “It’s My Derby,” a once-in-a-lifetime event presented by the Kentucky Derby Museum on Friday evening at the Keeneland Sales Pavilion.</p>
<p>It’s My Derby, a fundraiser for the Kentucky Derby Museum, features an evening of laughter, bourbon tastings, big personalities and the best stories in racing. The event kicks off with a VIP reception presented by Four Roses, followed by a panel discussion hosted by Racing Hall of Fame trainer and four-time Kentucky Derby winner <strong>D. Wayne Lukas</strong>. Lukas will swap Derby stories with <strong>Stuart Janney</strong>, co-owner and breeder of 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb; Orb’s trainer, <strong>Shug McGaughey</strong>, and jockey, <strong>Joel Rosario</strong>; <strong>Barclay Tagg</strong>, trainer of 2003 Derby and Preakness (G1) winner Funny Cide; and Derby-winning jockeys <strong>Chris McCarron</strong> and <strong>John Velazquez</strong>.</p>
<p>Kentucky Derby winners <strong>Mine That Bird</strong> and <strong>Funny Cide</strong> will be at the event to greet fans.</p>
<p>A live auction of unique, one-on-one Derby experiences hosted by racing celebrities also will be held. Among the packages fans can bid on: a private tour and brunch at the home of Wayne Lukas during Derby Week; a morning on the Churchill Downs backside during Derby Week with Chris McCarron; Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Derby seats; accommodations for an afternoon at the races at Saratoga capped by a private dinner with Shug McGaughey; and several VIP experiences on Derby Day at Churchill Downs.</p>
<p>For more information, or to buy tickets for the event, visit <a href="http://www.derbymuseum.org/2014-itsmyderby.html">It’s My Derby</a>.</p>
<p class="rtecenter">
</p>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>HUGE FIELDS EXPECTED FOR CLOSING-WEEK STAKES</strong></p>
<p>Keeneland Stakes Coordinator Scott Jones is anticipating huge fields for two turf marathon stakes at 1½ miles to close the 2014 Spring Meet on Thursday, April 24, and Friday, April 25.</p>
<p>Jones has 12 fillies and mares deemed as probable starters for Thursday’s 53<sup>rd</sup> running of the $150,000 Bewitch (G3) with the marquee name being Juddmonte Farms’ <strong>Romantica</strong> (<strong>GB</strong>).</p>
<p>Trained by Bill Mott, Romantica finished second in her most recent start, the Breeders’ Cup Filly &amp; Mare Turf (G1) at Santa Anita in November in her North American debut. The 5-year-old mare won three group races in Europe, including the Group 1 Darley Prix Jean Romanet last year at Deauville.</p>
<p>Also considered as probable for the race are <strong>Aigue</strong> <strong>Marine</strong> (<strong>GB</strong>), <strong>Always</strong> <strong>Kitten</strong>, <strong>Angel</strong> <strong>Terrace</strong>, <strong>Caroline</strong> <strong>Thomas</strong>, <strong>Freedom</strong> <strong>Reigns</strong> (<strong>IRE</strong>), <strong>I</strong> <strong>Dazzle</strong>, <strong>Inimitable</strong> <strong>Romanee</strong>, <strong>Meri</strong> <strong>Shika</strong> (<strong>FR</strong>), <strong>Stick</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Guns</strong>, <strong>Street</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Gold</strong> and <strong>Viva</strong> <strong>Rafaela</strong> (<strong>BRZ</strong>).</p>
<p>Entries for the Bewitch will be taken Monday.</p>
<p>Stella Perdomo’s Grade 1 winner <strong>Forte</strong> <strong>Dei</strong> <strong>Marmi</strong> (<strong>GB</strong>), who last week won a Sovereign Award as Canada’s champion turf male performer of 2013, heads a list of 10 runners deemed probable for the 29<sup>th</sup> running of the $250,000 Dixiana Elkhorn (G2) on Friday.</p>
<p>Other runners expected to land in the entry box Tuesday are <strong>Amen</strong> <strong>Kitten</strong>, <strong>Eagle</strong> <strong>Poise</strong>, <strong>Hangover</strong> <strong>Kid</strong>, <strong>Lucayan</strong> (<strong>FR</strong>), <strong>Optimizer</strong>, <strong>Suntracer</strong>, <strong>Temeraine</strong>, <strong>Tricky</strong> <strong>Hat</strong> (<strong>CHI</strong>) and <strong>Unitarian</strong>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>GALLOPING OUT</strong></p>
<p>With a victory in Friday’s Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare (G3), <strong>Emollient</strong> will become the third horse to win three stakes on Keeneland’s Polytrack. Last year, she won the Central Bank Ashland (G1) and Juddmonte Spinster (G1). The three-time Polytrack stakes winners are <strong>Informed Decision</strong> (2008 Lexus Raven Run-G2, 2009 Vinery Madison-G1 and 2009 Thoroughbred Club of America-G2) and <strong>Wise Dan</strong> (2010 Phoenix-G3, 2011 Fayette-G2 and 2012 Ben Ali-G3). …</p>
<p>Tom McCarthy, who owned and trained 2009 Toyota Blue Grass (G1) winner <strong>General Quarters</strong>, scored his first Keeneland victory since that race when he sent out <strong>Greek Bird</strong> to win the fourth race on Wednesday. Florent Geroux rode the 4-year-old Monarchos filly to a 1¾-length win in the<br />
1 1/16-mile claiming race in 1:47.05. McCarthy trains Greek Bird for the Run For The Hills Stable of Jerry Hills, Ron Growe and Tim McCarthy. …</p>
<p>Lee Pokoik’s <strong>Stick</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Your</strong> <strong>Guns</strong> arrived at Keeneland early Thursday morning for an expected engagement in next week’s Bewitch (G3). Trained by Gary Contessa, Stick to Your Guns finished fifth in the Orchid (G3) on March 29 in her most recent start that served as her graded stakes debut.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>SPRING MEET LEADERS</strong></p>
<p><strong>Through April 16 (9 days of racing)</strong></p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="t1"><tbody><tr><td>
<p><strong>Jockey</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>Starts</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>Wins</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>2nd</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>3rd</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>Purses</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Julien Leparoux</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>58</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>12</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>9</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$494,152</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Stewart Elliott</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>37</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>8</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$240,124</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Javier Castellano</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>32</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>7</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>6</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>6</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$596,260</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Joe Rocco Jr.</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>40</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>6</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>8</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>5</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$320,650</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Alan Garcia</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>28</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>6</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$407,391</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Rosie Napravnik</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>47</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>5</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>8</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$230,395</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Shaun Bridgmohan</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>27</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>5</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>0</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$380,366</p>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="t1"><tbody><tr><td>
<p><strong>Trainer</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>Starts</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>Wins</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>2nd</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>3rd</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>Purses</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Mark Casse</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>30</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>6</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>5</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$343,439</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Ken McPeek</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>26</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>5</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$406,016</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Wesley Ward</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>17</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>5</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$386,326</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>H. Graham Motion</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>21</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$161,207</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Christophe Clement</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>13</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$206,764</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Chad Brown</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>10</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$245,666</p>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="t1"><tbody><tr><td>
<p><strong>Owner</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>Wins</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>John C. Oxley</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Drake Racing Stables (Shirley and Tim Girten and Karol Germany), Muirfield Farm (Doug and Len Labuda) and Mike Lobalzo</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Gary Barber</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Gary L. and Mary E. West Stables Inc.</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Klaravich Stables Inc. (Seth Klaman) and William Lawrence</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Wesley A. Ward</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS</strong></p>
<p><strong>Thursday, April 17</strong></p>
<p><strong>Jockey Colony Autograph Signing. </strong>Meet retired and current jockeys from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for an autograph signing adjacent to the Paddock. The riders will autograph Jockey Colony Photos, and proceeds will benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.</p>
<p><strong>Hartack Memorial Award</strong>. Jockey Joel Rosario will receive the 2013 Hartack Memorial Award from the <a href="http://www.billhartackfoundation.com/index.html">Bill Hartack Charitable Foundation</a>. The annual award honors the memory and lifetime achievements of the five-time winner of the Kentucky Derby. Through its philanthropic arm, the Foundation annually contributes to Thoroughbred racing industry charities such as the Winners Foundation, Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and the Racing Employees Assistance Program. The event at Keeneland’s Sales Pavilion is free and open to the public and begins following the ninth and final race (post time is 5:13 p.m. ET). The award will be presented at 6 p.m.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Friday, April 18</strong></p>
<p><strong>The “50 to 1” Movie Tour </strong>celebrates Mine That Bird’s implausible journey from El Paso, Texas, to Churchill Downs and victory in the 2009 Kentucky Derby. The story is documented in the feature-length film “50 to 1.” Activities include an appearance by Mine That Bird and a fan meet-and-greet with trainer Chip Woolley and other connections to the gelding and the movie. Click <a href="http://www.50to1themovie.com/">here</a> for more about the movie, which opens the same day.</p>
<p><strong>The Keeneland Gift Shop Presents </strong>a trunk show by Dorfman Pacific from 11 a.m -6 p.m.</p>
<p><strong>The Hill.</strong> Keeneland’s official tailgate lot, which is adjacent to the Keene Barn, features food trucks, a jumbo television screen, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, race-day programs, a Keeneland Gift Shop kiosk and free shuttles to the track. BETologists, Keeneland’s wagering experts, will be available to answer fans’ questions.</p>
<p><strong>Craft Beer Tent</strong>. A special selection of craft beers is available on the North Terrace patio and includes Country Boy, Kentucky Ale Kolsch, Land Shark, Shock Top, Sierra Nevada and Sweetwater.</p>
<p><strong>It’s My Derby. </strong>Racing fans are invited to the evening event in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion to rub elbows with some of Thoroughbred racing’s most recognizable people. The fundraiser for the Kentucky Derby Museum features a panel discussion and VIP reception with such accomplished horsemen as 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb’s co-owner and breeder Stuart Janney and trainer, Shug McGaughey; trainer Barclay Tagg, winner of the 2003 Derby and Preakness with Funny Cide; and two-time Derby-winning jockey Chris McCarron. Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas will moderate the panel. For more information, click <a href="http://www.derbymuseum.org/">here</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Saturday, April 19</strong></p>
<p><strong>Sunrise Trackside </strong>sponsored by LEX18, the <em>Lexington Herald-Leader</em> and Dunkin’ Donuts offers activities for all ages beginning at 7 a.m. ET. Fans can enjoy <strong>Breakfast With the Works</strong>, a Southern-style breakfast and trackside commentary during the morning workouts (until 8:30 a.m.); children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7-9 a.m.); a show-and-tell with the <a href="http://www.kentuckyhorseshoeingschool.com/">Kentucky Horseshoeing School</a>; guided walking tours of Keeneland (8-10 a.m.); trackside handicapping seminar (11:30 a.m.); and a Q&amp;A session with current leading rider Julien Leparoux in the Paddock (12:05 p.m.). Keeneland Bugler Steve Buttleman also will be on hand to take photos with fans.</p>
<p><strong>Easter Egg Hunt.</strong> As part of Sunrise Trackside, the Keeneland Kids Club will host an <strong>Easter Egg Hunt</strong> on the North Terrace Lawn at 9 a.m. Children will be able to see baby chicks and bunnies and other animals from Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.</p>
<p><strong>The Hill. </strong>Keeneland’s official tailgate lot located adjacent to the Keene Barn, will feature food trucks, a jumbo television screen, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, race-day programs, a Keeneland Gift Shop kiosk, free shuttles to the track and live bluegrass music. BETologists will be available to answer fans’ questions.</p>
<p><strong>The Keeneland Gift Shop Presents </strong>a trunk show by Dorfman Pacific from 11 a.m -6 p.m.</p>
<p><strong>Craft Beer Tent</strong>. A special selection of craft beers is available on the North Terrace patio and includes Country Boy, Kentucky Ale Kolsch, Land Shark, Shock Top, Sierra Nevada and Sweetwater.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Easter Sunday, April 20: Keeneland is closed</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/shared/26621/EmollientKLD57.jpg?itok=UEJnkZoV" rel="lightbox[field_images][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/shared/26621/EmollientKLD57.jpg?itok=-glMPLjI" width="220" height="174" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-news-keywords field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/barn-notes" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Barn Notes</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/news-keywords/2014-spring-meet" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">2014 Spring Meet</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/ben-ali" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ben Ali</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/news-keywords/50-1" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">50 to 1</a></div></div></div>Thu, 17 Apr 2014 15:59:16 +0000cewert26621 at http://www.keeneland.comBarn Notes -- Wednesday, April 16http://www.keeneland.com/racing/barn-notes-wednesday-april-16
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p class="rtecenter"><strong>UNDEFEATED DIVINE OATH FACES 10 RIVALS IN STAKES DEBUT IN COOLMORE LEXINGTON</strong></p>
<p>Let’s Go Stable’s undefeated <strong>Divine</strong> <strong>Oath</strong>, who did not draw into last Saturday’s Toyota Blue Grass (G1) field off the also-eligible list, will face 10 rivals this Saturday when he makes his stakes debut in the 33<sup>rd</sup> running of the $200,000 Coolmore Lexington (G3) at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.</p>
<p>The Coolmore Lexington, one of three stakes on Saturday’s 10-race program, will go as the ninth race with a 5:13 p.m. ET post time. Saturday’s first race is 1:05 p.m.</p>
<p>The Coolmore Lexington is the final race with points on the road to the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on May 3 with 17 points (10-4-2-1) available.</p>
<p>Trained by Todd Pletcher, who has won this race five times, including last year with <strong>Winning</strong> <strong>Cause</strong>, Divine Oath has won both of his races going 7½ furlongs on the turf. Javier Castellano has the mount and will exit post position six.</p>
<p>Pletcher also will send out Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ <strong>Supermonic</strong> (post 10 under Joel Rosario) and Stonestreet Stables’ <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Strike</strong> (post 11 under Irad Ortiz Jr.)</p>
<p>Prominent challengers to Divine Oath are a quartet of Grade 3 winners: <strong>Ami’s</strong> <strong>Holiday</strong>, <strong>Mr</strong> <strong>Speaker</strong> and the Wayne Catalano-trained duo of <strong>Poker</strong> <strong>Player</strong> and <strong>Solitary</strong> <strong>Ranger</strong>.</p>
<p>Ivan Dalos’ Ami’s Holiday, winner of the Grey Stakes at Woodbine in October, will make his 2014 debut for trainer Josie Carroll. Robby Albarado will ride Ami’s Holiday and break from post position seven.</p>
<p>Phipps Stable’s Mr Speaker, winner of the Dania Beach and runner-up in the Palm Beach (G3) for trainer Shug McGaughey, will make his Polytrack debut Saturday. Jose Lezcano has the mount and will break from post position one.</p>
<p>Gary and Mary West’s Poker Player won the Bourbon here last fall on the main track. Stewart Elliott will ride and break from post position four.</p>
<p>Susan Moulton’s Solitary Ranger won the Arlington-Washington Futurity last September and last month won the Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park. Florent Geroux retains the mount and will exit post position two.</p>
<p>The field for the Coolmore Lexington, from the rail out, is as follows: Mr Speaker (Lezcano, 120 pounds), Solitary Ranger (Geroux, 120), <strong>Dynamic</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> (Alan Garcia, 118), Poker Player (Elliott, 120), <strong>Z</strong> <strong>Lucky</strong> (Jon Court, 118), Divine Oath (Castellano, 118), Ami’s Holiday (Albarado, 120), <strong>Ride</strong> <strong>Away</strong> (Julien Leparoux, 118), <strong>Morning</strong> <strong>Calm</strong> (Joe Rocco Jr., 118), Supermonic (Rosario, 118) and Global Strike (I. Ortiz Jr., 118).</p>
<p class="rtecenter"> </p>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>PAST TWO FAYETTE WINNERS NEWSDAD AND NIKKI’S SANDCASTLE SQUARE OFF IN BEN ALI</strong></p>
<p>James Karp’s <strong>Newsdad</strong> and Richard Sherman’s <strong>Nikki’s</strong> <strong>Sandcastle</strong>, winners of the past two runnings of the Fayette (G2) here, headline a field of 10 older runners entered Wednesday for Saturday’s 84<sup>th</sup> running of the $150,000 Ben Ali (G3) to be contested at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.</p>
<p>The Ben Ali will go as the eighth race on Saturday’s 10-race program with a 4:42 p.m. ET post time.</p>
<p>Trained by Bill Mott, Newsdad owns the Keeneland track record for 1¼ miles and enters the Ben Ali off his second victory in the Pan American (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Newsdad will break from post position 10 and be ridden by Joel Rosario.</p>
<p>Nikki’s Sandcastle, who finished second to Newsdad in the 2012 Fayette, is trained by Dave Kassan. The defending champion will break from post position three under Corey Lanerie.</p>
<p>The Ben Ali also marks the return to Keeneland of <strong>Joha</strong>, winner of the 2012 Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity (G1). Owned by Wade Wacker and now trained by Tom Albertrani, Joha will break from post position four and be ridden by Javier Castellano.</p>
<p>The field for the Ben Ali, from the rail out, is as follows: <strong>Norumbega</strong> (Shaun Bridgmohan, 118 pounds), <strong>Stealcase</strong> (Stewart Elliott, 118), Nikki’s Sandcastle (Lanerie, 123), Joha (Castellano, 118), <strong>Hattaash</strong> (Emmanuel Esquivel, 118), <strong>Winning</strong> <strong>Cause</strong> (Joe Rocco Jr., 118), <strong>Red</strong> <strong>Rifle</strong> (Robby Albarado, 118), <strong>Farhaan</strong> (Irad Ortiz Jr., 120), <strong>Frac</strong> <strong>Daddy</strong> (Alan Garcia, 118) and Newsdad (Rosario, 123).</p>
<p class="rtecenter"> </p>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>SWEET CASSIOPEIA SEEKS REPEAT IN SATURDAY’S GIANT’S CAUSEWAY</strong></p>
<p>Dan Considine and Steve Snowden’s <strong>Sweet</strong> <strong>Cassiopeia</strong> will attempt to become the first horse to repeat in the Giant’s Causeway when she faces 10 rivals in the 18<sup>th</sup> running of the $100,000 listed stake for fillies and mares at 5½ furlongs on the turf.</p>
<p>The Giant’s Causeway will go as the seventh race on Saturday’s 10-race program with a 4:11 p.m. ET post time.</p>
<p>Trained by Bill Connelly, Sweet Cassiopeia won last year’s Giant’s Causeway by 1¼ lengths. In her most recent start here, Sweet Cassiopeia finished third behind Saturday rival <strong>Queen’s</strong> <strong>Award</strong> in the Buffalo Trace Franklin County last fall.</p>
<p>Joe Rocco Jr. will be aboard Sweet Cassiopeia and break from post position nine.</p>
<p>Queen’s Award, owned by Susie and Ed Orr and Alfonxo Mazzetti, will break from post position eight and be ridden by Kent Desormeaux.</p>
<p>The field for the Giant’s Causeway, from the inside out, is as follows: <strong>Prettyhotprincess</strong> (Albin Jimenez, 118 pounds), <strong>Allwewantforxmas</strong> (Jose Lezcano, 118), <strong>Point</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Wild</strong> (Brian Hernandez Jr., 118), <strong>Believe</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Charlie</strong> (Javier Castellano, 120), <strong>Saturday</strong> <strong>Nthe</strong> <strong>Park</strong> (Robby Albarado, 118), <strong>Run</strong> <strong>a</strong> <strong>Risk</strong> (Dylan Davis, 118), <strong>To</strong> <strong>My</strong> <strong>Valentine</strong> (<strong>FR</strong>) (Leandro Goncalves, 118), Queen’s Award (Desormeaux, 118), Sweet Cassiopeia (Rocco Jr., 118), <strong>Free</strong> <strong>as</strong> <strong>a</strong> <strong>Bird</strong> (Joel Rosario, 118) and <strong>Ageless</strong> (Julien Leparoux, 118).</p>
<p class="rtecenter"> </p>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>BIG BAZINGA STAYS AT KEENELAND FOR POSSIBLE DERBY START</strong></p>
<p>With his connections eyeing a spot in the starting gate for the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on May 3, Toyota Blue Grass (G1) fourth-place finisher <strong>Big Bazinga</strong> remains at Keeneland. Original plans called for the 3-year-old Bluegrass Cat gelding to leave Monday night to return to trainer Katerina Vassilieva’s Woodbine base.</p>
<p>The horses that race in the Kentucky Derby must have earned points in selected graded stakes. The top 20 point earners that pass the entry box run in the Derby. Big Bazinga, who races for Derby Dreamers Racing Stable, ranks 27<sup>th</sup> on the list with 14 points. If the connections of horses with more points opt not to enter, Big Bazinga could find a place in the starting gate.</p>
<p>Vassilieva’s assistant, Amber Mayers, said Big Bazinga will continue to train at Keeneland at least through the weekend when a decision will be made regarding whether he ships to Churchill Downs or Woodbine.</p>
<p>“We’re going to stay and wait it out and hopefully get some good news,” she said.</p>
<p class="rtecenter">
</p>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>RECEPTA BRINGS TONER BACK FOR APPALACHIAN RUN</strong></p>
<p>Three years ago, trainer Jimmy Toner used Keeneland’s Appalachian Stakes as the launching point for the 3-year-old campaign for <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>Memories</strong>.</p>
<p>On Thursday, Toner will follow the same path with <strong>Recepta</strong>, who makes her 2014 debut in the 26<sup>th</sup> running of the $100,000 Appalachian (G3) Presented by Japan Racing Association at a mile on the turf.</p>
<p>“She is doing great and we are following the same program we did with Winter Memories,” Toner said. “Recepta has a lot of quality and ability, but we don’t know how deep that is. With Winter Memories we knew.”</p>
<p>Winter Memories did all of her racing on the grass and won eight of 12 starts. Seven of her wins were in graded stakes.</p>
<p>Recepta, a 3-year-old daughter of Speightstown, closed her 2013 campaign with a victory in the Chelsea Flower at Belmont on Oct. 27.</p>
<p>“Her one race on turf was very impressive,” Toner said. “We wanted to give her time to prepare for this year and we are looking forward to running her this year.”</p>
<p>Joel Rosario will be aboard for the first time Thursday and break from post position one in the 12-horse field.</p>
<p>Phillips Racing Partnership, which owns Recepta with Pam Gartin, will be going for a stakes double this week with homebred <strong>Moment</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Dixie</strong> in Friday’s 20<sup>th</sup> running of the $100,000 Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare (G3) at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.</p>
<p>Moment in Dixie comes into Friday’s race off a nearly three-month layoff.</p>
<p>“She is doing well,’’ Toner said of the 5-year-old Dixieland Band mare. “Gulfstream Park is a hard place to run because that course is not her forte.</p>
<p>“Her last race at Tampa (fourth in the Grade 3 Endeavor on Jan. 25), I was initially disappointed but Graham Motion’s horse (<strong>Cloud</strong> <strong>Scapes</strong>) came right back to win the Hillsborough (G3). Moment in Dixie was fourth beaten 2¾ lengths, so we decided to wait for here.”</p>
<p class="rtecenter">
</p>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>KEENELAND LIBRARY ARTIFACTS FEATURED IN KENTUCKY HORSE PARK EXHIBIT</strong></p>
<p>The Lexington Bowl, a unique silver trophy that was awarded to the winner of the Blue Grass Stakes from 1937-1952, is part of rare racing memorabilia that the <a href="https://www.keeneland.com/discover/about-library">Keeneland Library</a> has provided for the “Equine Treasures of the Bluegrass” exhibit that opens today at the Kentucky Horse Park’s <a href="http://www.imh.org/">International Museum of the Horse</a>.</p>
<p>Crafted in 1854, the Lexington Bowl was presented to Dr. Elisha Warfield by the citizens of Lexington in appreciation of the immortal Thoroughbred Lexington, whom he bred. The pedestal punch bowl remained in the Warfield family until 1937, when three anonymous sportsmen purchased the piece and presented it to Keeneland.</p>
<p>The Keeneland Library is lending more than 20 artifacts from its vast collection. They include a hand-written ledger from Dr. Warfield on the foaling of Lexington and an engraving of the horse from an original issue of <em>Turf, Field and Farm</em>. Keeneland also provided a silk purse awarded to Poteen at the Kentucky Association race track; a gold Tiffany stopwatch owned by Man o’ War’s owner, Sam Riddle; a program and <em>Lexington Herald</em> article on Keeneland’s opening day; and diaries, sales catalogs and produce ledgers from Woodburn Farm, where Lexington stood at stud.</p>
<p>The exhibit runs through Nov. 9. </p>
<p class="rtecenter"> </p>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>GALLOPING OUT</strong></p>
<p><strong>Centre</strong> <strong>Court</strong>, fifth in Saturday’s Jenny Wiley (G1), returned to the track Wednesday morning for trainer Rusty Arnold.</p>
<p>“I hate to run fifth and say a horse ran a good race, but she did,” Arnold said of Centre Court, who had a wide trip after breaking from post position 10. “She ran hard and only got beat three-quarters of a length. It was a big effort and she did everything right.”</p>
<p>Next for Centre Court might be the $300,000-added Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) on May 3 over a course on which she has not lost in three starts, two of them in graded stakes.</p>
<p>“We are going to look at it,” Arnold said. “It is a little quick. Today is her first day back. We’ll see how her energy level is the next two weeks.” …</p>
<p>Following the ninth and final race on Thursday (5:13 p.m. ET post time), jockey Joel Rosario will receive the 2013 Hartack Memorial Award from the <a href="http://www.billhartackfoundation.com/index.html">Bill Hartack Charitable Foundation</a> in a presentation in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion. The annual award honors the memory and lifetime achievements of Hartack, a five-time winner of the Kentucky Derby. Through its philanthropic arm, the Foundation annually contributes to Thoroughbred racing industry charities such as the Winners Foundation, Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and Racing Employees Assistance Program.</p>
<p class="rtecenter"> </p>
<p class="rtecenter">
<strong>SPRING MEET LEADERS</strong></p>
<p><strong>Through April 13 (8 days of racing)</strong></p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="t1"><tbody><tr><td>
<p><strong>Jockey</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>Starts</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>Wins</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>2nd</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>3rd</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>Purses</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Julien Leparoux</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>53</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>12</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>8</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$488,953</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Stewart Elliott</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>33</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>8</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$231,724</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Javier Castellano</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>32</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>7</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>6</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>6</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$596,260</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Joe Rocco Jr.</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>35</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>6</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>6</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$300,004</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Rosie Napravnik</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>44</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>5</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>8</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$229,757</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Alan Garcia</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>26</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>5</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$366,991</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>James Graham</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>39</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$203,288</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Joel Rosario</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>27</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$357,995</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Dylan Davis</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>23</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$122,895</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Shaun Bridgmohan</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>24</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>0</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$345,044</p>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="t1"><tbody><tr><td>
<p><strong>Trainer</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>Starts</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>Wins</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>2nd</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>3rd</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong>Purses</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Mark Casse</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>27</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>5</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>5</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$305,312</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Ken McPeek</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>22</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>5</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>0</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$386,136</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Wesley Ward</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>16</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>4</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$370,726</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>H. Graham Motion</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>21</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$161,207</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Christophe Clement</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>13</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$206,764</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Chad Brown</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>10</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>2</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>$245,666</p>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS</strong></p>
<p><strong>Wednesday, April 16</strong></p>
<p><strong>WINS-day Challenge, a handicapping contest presented by Malone’s</strong>. At Wagering Central, contestants can sign up to play for a $10 entry fee, then they place a mythical $2 win and place wager on Keeneland Races 3 through 8. The contest offers a guaranteed $2,500 pool, and the first 200 participants receive a free <em>Daily Racing Form</em> and a card for an appetizer at Malone’s. The first-, second- and third-place finishers receive cash prizes and a gift card from Malone’s.</p>
<p><strong>Keeneland Library Lecture Series. </strong>At 6 p.m., the Keeneland Library and the University of Kentucky Department of History present <em>Bourbon, Brothels and the Kentucky Derby: A Kentucky Story</em> by Eclipse Award-winner journalist Maryjean Wall and <em>The Nostalgic Origins of the Kentucky Derby</em> by award-winning writer Jamie Nicholson. Wall and Nicholson will discuss their research and discoveries for their recent books with a reception and book signing to follow.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Thursday, April 17</strong></p>
<p><strong>Jockey Colony Autograph Signing. </strong>Meet retired and current jockeys from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for an autograph signing adjacent to the Paddock. The riders will autograph Jockey Colony Photos, and proceeds will benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.</p>
<p><strong>Hartack Memorial Award</strong>. Jockey Joel Rosario will receive the 2013 Hartack Memorial Award from the <a href="http://www.billhartackfoundation.com/index.html">Bill Hartack Charitable Foundation</a>. The annual award honors the memory and lifetime achievements of the five-time winner of the Kentucky Derby. The award will be presented following the last race that day in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion. Through its philanthropic arm, the Foundation annually contributes to Thoroughbred racing industry charities such as the Winners Foundation, Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and the Racing Employees Assistance Program.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Friday, April 18</strong></p>
<p><strong>The “50 to 1” Movie Tour </strong>celebrates Mine That Bird’s implausible journey from El Paso, Texas, to Churchill Downs and victory in the 2009 Kentucky Derby. The story is documented in the feature-length film “50 to 1.” The day’s activities include an appearance by Mine That Bird and a fan meet-and-greet with actors from the movie. The movie premiers in Kentucky the same day. Click <a href="http://www.50to1themovie.com/">here</a> for more about the movie.</p>
<p><strong>The Keeneland Gift Shop Presents </strong>a trunk show by Dorfman Pacific from 11 a.m -6 p.m.</p>
<p><strong>The Hill.</strong> Keeneland’s official tailgate lot, which is adjacent to the Keene Barn, features food trucks, a jumbo television screen, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, race-day programs, a Keeneland Gift Shop kiosk and free shuttles to the track. BETologists, Keeneland’s wagering experts, will be available to answer fans’ questions.</p>
<p><strong>Craft Beer Tent</strong>. A special selection of craft beers is available on the North Terrace patio and includes Country Boy, Kentucky Ale Kolsch, Land Shark, Shock Top, Sierra Nevada and Sweetwater.</p>
<p><strong>It’s My Derby. </strong>Racing fans are invited to the evening event in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion to rub elbows with some of Thoroughbred racing’s most recognizable people. The fundraiser for the Kentucky Derby Museum features a panel discussion and VIP reception with 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb’s co-owner and breeder Stuart Janney and trainer, Shug McGaughey, as well as trainer Barclay Tagg, winner of the 2003 Derby and Preakness with Funny Cide, and two-time Derby-winning jockey Chris McCarron. Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas will moderate the panel. For more information, click <a href="http://www.derbymuseum.org/">here</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Saturday, April 19</strong></p>
<p><strong>Sunrise Trackside </strong>sponsored by LEX18, the <em>Lexington Herald-Leader</em> and Dunkin’ Donuts offers activities for all ages beginning at 7 a.m. ET. Fans can enjoy <strong>Breakfast With the Works</strong>, a Southern-style breakfast and trackside commentary during the morning workouts (until 8:30 a.m.); children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7-9 a.m.); a show-and-tell with the <a href="http://www.kentuckyhorseshoeingschool.com/">Kentucky Horseshoeing School</a>; guided walking tours of Keeneland (8-10 a.m.); trackside handicapping seminar (11:30 a.m.); and a Q&amp;A session with current leading rider Julien Leparoux in the Paddock (12:05 p.m.). Keeneland Bugler Steve Buttleman also will be on hand to take photos with fans.</p>
<p><strong>Easter Egg Hunt.</strong> As part of Sunrise Trackside, the Keeneland Kids Club will also host an <strong>Easter Egg Hunt</strong> on the North Terrace Lawn at 9 a.m. Children will be able to see baby chicks and bunnies and other animals from Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.</p>
<p><strong>The Hill. </strong>Keeneland’s official tailgate lot located adjacent to the Keene Barn, will feature food trucks, a jumbo television screen, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, race-day programs, a Keeneland Gift Shop kiosk, free shuttles to the track and live bluegrass music. BETologists will be available to answer fans’ questions.</p>
<p><strong>The Keeneland Gift Shop Presents </strong>a trunk show by Dorfman Pacific from 11 a.m -6 p.m.</p>
<p><strong>Craft Beer Tent</strong>. A special selection of craft beers is available on the North Terrace patio and includes Country Boy, Kentucky Ale Kolsch, Land Shark, Shock Top, Sierra Nevada and Sweetwater.</p>
<p><strong>Easter Sunday, April 20: Keeneland is closed</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/shared/26612/Nikki%27sSandcastleKLD181.JPG?itok=bZ27YIAD" rel="lightbox[field_images][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/shared/26612/Nikki%27sSandcastleKLD181.JPG?itok=CM0dpI_W" width="220" height="157" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-news-keywords field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/barn-notes" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Barn Notes</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/news-keywords/2014-spring-meet" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">2014 Spring Meet</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/coolmore-lexington" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Coolmore Lexington</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/news-keywords/ben-ali" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ben Ali</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/giants-causeway" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Giant&#039;s Causeway</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/news-keywords/appalachian" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Appalachian</a></div></div></div>Wed, 16 Apr 2014 17:15:10 +0000cewert26612 at http://www.keeneland.comSuccessful Dan Controls the Pace to Win the Ben Alihttp://www.keeneland.com/racing/successful-dan-controls-pace-win-ben-ali
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong>LEXINGTON, KY (April 21, 2013)</strong> – Not to be outdone by his year-younger half-brother, Wise Dan, Successful Dan controlled the pace to win the 83<sup>rd</sup> running of the Ben Ali Stakes (G3) on Sunday, a year after Wise Dan won the same race to launch his Horse of the Year campaign. The performance came on Military Appreciation Day, which attracted 20,244 fans for the third-largest Sunday crowd at Keeneland since the track began racing on Sundays in the spring of 1991.</p>
<p>A homebred racing for Mort Fink and trained by Charlie LoPresti – the same connections as Wise Dan – Successful Dan was the 4-5 favorite in his first race since June. The gelding, ridden by Julien Leparoux, took the lead in the 1 1/8-mile race from the inside post and took the lead, slowing the pace while leading five rivals through fractions of :25.03, :50.18, 1:16.05 and 1:39.57. Midway on the final turn, the pace quickened and Boisterous mounted a challenge inside the three-sixteenths pole. Down the stretch, Successful Dan held off Boisterous and crossed the finish line one length in front of that rival. His time for the race was 1:51.14.</p>
<p>With the victory, Successful Dan remained undefeated in five starts at Keeneland. The seven-year-old gelding by Successful Appeal earned $90,000 to push his career earnings to $746,608 with eight wins in 12 career starts. He also won Keeneland’s Fayette Stakes (G2) in 2010.</p>
<p>Wise Dan opened his 2013 campaign at Keeneland on April 12, winning the Maker’s 46 Mile Stakes (G1). He has earned $3,727,638 in his career.</p>
<p>Richard’s Kid was 6¼ lengths back in third and was followed in order by Son of a General, Hattaash and Stephanoatsee. Golden Ticket was scratched. The starters in the Ben Ali wore camouflage saddle towels as part of Military Appreciation Day.</p>
<p>Successful Dan paid $3.60, $2.40 and $2.10. Boisterious, ridden by Joel Rosario, returned $3 and $2.20. Rosie Napravnik rode Richard’s Kid, who paid $2.60 to show.</p>
<p>Three days remain in Keeneland’s 16-day spring meet. Racing resumes Wednesday with a nine-race program that begin at 1:05 p.m. (ET). The season concludes on Friday.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://youtu.be/gKnd8fvwU5w">Video clip of Ben Ali (G3)</a></strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/shared/11059/SuccessfulDanKLD378.jpg?itok=cWHzksK3" rel="lightbox[field_images][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/shared/11059/SuccessfulDanKLD378.jpg?itok=vnzhA84O" width="220" height="186" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-news-keywords field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/2013-spring-meet" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">2013 Spring Meet</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/news-keywords/ben-ali" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ben Ali</a></div></div></div>Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:48:35 +0000hsaxon11059 at http://www.keeneland.comQuotes - $150,000 Ben Ali Stakes (G3)http://www.keeneland.com/racing/quotes-150000-ben-ali-stakes-g3
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong>Charlie LoPresti (winning trainer of Successful Dan)</strong></p>
<p>“He has tremendous heart. He’s got a lot of talent, and his injuries here lately haven’t been very bad. At Saratoga, he had some filling in his pastern. Probably I could have run him, but you want them to be 100 percent with a horse of this caliber. It wasn’t that hard to get him back to this race. (Jockey) Julien (Leparoux) has breezed him these past two times, and he’s told me he was as good as ever. And Dr. Larry Bramlage checked him and gave him a clean bill of health.”</p>
<p><strong>On Successful Dan’s next race</strong></p>
<p>“He loves Churchill. We’ll see how he is after this race. Maybe the (Grade 1) Stephen Foster (on June 15). We might have to rethink what we do with Wise Dan (also mentioned as a possible contender for the Stephen Foster following his win in the Maker’s 46 Mile-G1). If not that, we might just freshen (Successful Dan) and take him to Saratoga.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Julien Leparoux (rider of Successful Dan)</strong></p>
<p>“I’ve just got so much confidence in him. I just let him run his race. They let me go very slow the first part of it, and I knew at that rate nobody could catch him.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Joel Rosario (rider of second-place finisher Boisterous)</strong></p>
<p>“I thought he ran really well. They let the horse (winner Successful Dan) go on the lead easy. I think maybe we were second-best today. He tried hard.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Rosie Napravnik (rider of third-place finisher Richard's Kid)</strong></p>
<p>“I had a pretty good trip except that my instructions were to be outside and I got trapped inside. But my horse didn’t seem to mind it. He ran a great race. It was a race that was completely paceless and that doesn’t help a horse with his closing ability.”</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/shared/11058/SUCCESSFUL%20DAN%20The%20Ben%20Ali%20Gr%20III%20-%2083rd%20Running%2004-21-13%20KEE%20-%20Under%20Rail.jpg?itok=Yn-ICvcY" rel="lightbox[field_images][]" title=""><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/shared/11058/SUCCESSFUL%20DAN%20The%20Ben%20Ali%20Gr%20III%20-%2083rd%20Running%2004-21-13%20KEE%20-%20Under%20Rail.jpg?itok=TlR-Usww" width="220" height="157" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-news-keywords field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/quotes" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Quotes</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/news-keywords/2013-spring-meet" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">2013 Spring Meet</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-keywords/ben-ali" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ben Ali</a></div></div></div>Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:35:48 +0000hsaxon11058 at http://www.keeneland.com